Obstacles challenge Georgia’s aim of receiving NATO MAP
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A regional NATO official says Georgia is facing many obstacles that are challenging the country’s aim of furthering its relationship with NATO.
Head of the NATO Alliance Office in Georgia, William Lahew, believed the differing perspectives of NATO member countries was complicating the decision to grant Georgia a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the NATO Summit in Wales.
A MAP is a program of advice, assistance and practical support tailored to countries wishing to join the alliance.
When assessing a piece by Reuters which said NATO countries were unlikely to grant Georgia a formal step towards NATO membership at the September summit, Lahew stated alliance members had to decide on their own what they wanted to see happen, and collectively their decision will reflect NATO’s position.
"Many perspectives complicate this issue, which are connected with reaching a consensus in favour of the alliance and its long-term cooperation with Georgia,” Lahew stated.
As Reuters wrote, NATO appeared likely to settle on a compromise by giving Georgia a package of "reinforced cooperation" with NATO that would fall short of a MAP.
"This package could include measures such as closer political cooperation, training the Georgian Armed Forces and strengthening NATO's liaison office in Georgia,” read the Reuters article.
A positive report of Georgia and the success of its recent local elections could play an important part in the country’s future relationship with NATO.
Georgia's Foreign Minister said Rasmussen "abosolutely agreed” that Georgia had made significant progress in recent years and that it should be adequately praised from the Alliance.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has agreed in principle to offer "a substantive package” to Georgia to help it come closer to NATO but made no mention of membership.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Georgia will not be offered a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the NATO Summit in Wales in September.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) should support non-member countries to build up their defensive capabilities to allow them to protect their region.